- Jessica Head faces fresh online abuse after IPL controversy.
- Travis Head and Virat Kohli exchanged heated words during SRH vs RCB.
- Jessica compared the abuse to the 2023 ODI World Cup backlash.
Following a dramatic on-field altercation between Head and Virat Kohli during the IPL 2026 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on May 22, Australian player Travis Head’s wife Jessica has spoken out about experiencing fresh cyberbullying.
Jessica disclosed that following Head’s altercation with Kohli on the field, she has once again been the focus of abusive tweets and abuse on social media. She said that she and her family had experienced emotional exhaustion and suffering as a result of the circumstance.
She went on to say that the abuse felt similar to what she had gone through during the 2023 ICC ODI World Cup. Head’s game-winning 137-run knock in the Ahmedabad final had shaken India.
Read Here: Virat Kohli ignores Travis Head’s handshake as the moment goes viral
Jessica Head urges kindness after family targeted by online abuse
Jessica claimed that when she woke up, she saw hurtful words on social media directed at her friends and family, reminding fans that athletes and their families are real people and advocating for improved mental health awareness, perspective, and kindness.
“It feels like a repeat of the abuse that happened after the World Cup. I woke up to my socials blasting… we are fine but they are attacking my friends and family,” Jessica told Australian media outlet The Advertiser.
“I think across all sports at the moment there’s an important conversation around mental health, perspective and the way we speak to one another. Passion will always be part of sport, but so is remembering there are real people and families behind the game. Hopefully, this encourages more kindness, and support for one another,” Jessica added.
Virat Kohli and Travis Head clash sparks viral IPL controversy
During Shivang Kumar’s opening over, Venkatesh Iyer launched into an aggressive attack and easily found the boundaries, setting up the flashpoint. Travis Head, who was positioned at mid-wicket, seemed to be invited by Kohli to take up the bowling responsibilities during the onslaught. Additionally, Kohli was spotted gesturing the Australian away at another point.
In the 18th over, Head finally joined the bowling attack and had an immediate effect, dismissing Rajat Patidar, the captain of the RCB, with only his second delivery. But the two players had other heated exchanges. Later in the innings, Head ran across Kohli while switching fielding positions, and the former India captain seemed to speak to him once again.
After the game, a widely shared video appeared to show Kohli avoiding the traditional handshake with Head, causing the turmoil to go beyond the game. Kohli’s apparent snub of Head became the topic of much conversation online, even though he greeted players like Pat Cummins, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan warmly.
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